Reduction Cuts Cutting Back to a Lateral Branch Insufficient in Size to Assume Apical Dominance Is a Heading Cut, Also Known As Internodal Or Stub Cut
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Reduction Cuts Cutting back to a lateral branch insufficient in size to assume apical dominance is a heading cut, also known as internodal or stub cut. Internodal cut Internode Nodes Watersprouts When would a heading cut be necessary for trees? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Heading Cuts Heading cuts are used for pruning bushes or storm damaged trees, but thinning or reduction cuts are preferred for trees. Heading Cuts Heading (topping) cuts are used to reduce tree size often at internodes leaving a stump. This leads to branch dieback, decay and unstable sprout growth which increases risk in the future. Heading Cuts • The goal is reduced height but regrowth quickly occurs to produce food • Structure never regains its form • Reduces property value • Increases cost to maintain and liability Heading Cuts • Lead to branch dieback, decay and unstable sprout growth which increases risk • Can lead to complete loss of foliage and food producing capacity/storage • Decreases health and increases sunscald/pathogen entry • Does not compartmentalize well Structural Pruning • Removal of dead, dying, broken or damaged limbs • Establish desired structure often selecting a dominant leader • Remove subordinate & competing limbs Structural Pruning Dominant Leader: The primary terminal shoot, usually larger and more upright and dominates the crown by suppressing lateral growth. Subordinate Pruning Pruning to reduce the size of limbs that compete for dominance and slows the growth of remaining or lateral stems. Structural Pruning Removes codominant stems and branches with narrow angles of attachment which reduces structural failures in the future. Structural Pruning Establishes a strong arraignment or system of scaffold branches which form the architecture or structure of a tree. Structural Pruning • Establishing the lowest permanent branch • Left in place to form the scaffold framework • Height of low limbs varies by location and function Structural Pruning • Establish scaffold branches with good angles of attachment and appropriate size along with the desired spacing of 12-18 inches apart • Training process that should be spread out over years Structural Pruning Select the temporary branches among the scaffold branches that are left in place (or subordinated) and will be removed later. They provide energy, increase trunk taper and shade bark. Structural Pruning • Of critical importance on young trees to develop good branch spacing and strong branching habit • Older trees require structural pruning, but all deficiencies may not be corrected Not Structurally Structurally Pruned Pruned Pruning Mature Trees • Older trees may not tolerate severe pruning as they have less energy reserves • Often limited to dead limb removal, but based on the condition and size of tree, site conditions and client objectives Crown Cleaning - Thinning • Crown Cleaning: Removal of dead, dying, diseased, broken or weakly attached limbs • Crown Thinning: Includes crown cleaning, but also thinning for light, air movement or structure Crown Thinning • Relieves weight on longer limbs and reduces the sail effect • Retains the natural shape and not overly thinned Correct Before Thinning After Thinning Improper Pruning Lion tailing is the removal of all interior growth leaving only a tuft of foliage on the ends. Improper Pruning Effects • Reduced branch taper • Poor wind load distribution • Weakened branch structure • Higher risk of structural failure • Increased decay and branch dieback • Increased insect and pathogen problems Crown Raising • Provides clearance for structures, traffic or people • Avoid excessive removal of limbs to allow trunk taper development • Often provides vista pruning for street signs or a favorable view Improper Pruning Excessive canopy raising can lead to poor trunk taper and risk of failure in the future. Sunscald can also be an issue. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/487373990895586214/ Crown Reduction • Reduces height or spread of a tree, often for utility line clearance 3” • Limbs are removed to the point of origin, but the remaining lateral must be 1/3 the diameter of the branch removed Utility Clearance • Only qualified tree trimmers should be pruning any tree near power lines • Trees closer than 11 feet to neighborhood power lines or more for larger lines should never be climbed, pruned or touched Improper Pruning • Reduces photosynthesis • Reduces food storage • Cut wounds that don`t heal • Increased decay • Increased potential for structural failure • Can ruin a tree for life Crown Restoration • Pruning to improve trees which were improperly pruned or damaged • Requires heading cuts and thinning epicormic sprouts in the future Improper Pruning Never “top” a tree because all re-growth is structurally weak. Espalier Training a tree to grow a given shape that can be formal or informal. Pollarding • A large form tree is consistently cut back to the same area to keep it small • Internodal cuts are made at a given height starting when a tree is young Pruning Palms • Fronds, fruit or loose petioles can fall creating a risk • Remove fronds from the top down • Avoid removing OK to Remove fronds above 90 degrees Pruning Palms Remove fronds close to the petiole base without damaging the trunk tissue..